DIY Solar Panels That Track the Sun

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If you're into solar energy and robotics, have some spare time on your hands, and simply can't deal with the lack of efficiency brought on by the sun moving across the sky, then this idea might interest you.

EETimes.com shares the story of Mike Davis, an Arizona man who likes to live off the grid. Davis has a small array of PV panels that he uses to charge a bank of batteries. The problem was that he had to constantly move the panels in order to keep them pointed directly at the sun. What a pain.

To resolve the issue, Davis used an old TV antenna remote motor and some seriously out-of-my-league electronics skill to make an array that automatically tracks the sun. What a bright idea.

Tim Layton is a home and DIY blogger for Popular Mechanics. Follow him on Twitter: @RemodelingGuy

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